The Future of NFL Head Safety is in Seattle

The NFL recently reported that concussions rose 58 percent in regular-season games; the highest number reported in four years. There were 182 reported concussions, reversing the downward trend since 2012.

NFL Senior Vice President of Health and Safety Policy Jeff Miller said that they’re trying to figure out why concussion numbers rose so much (up from 115 last season). Having followed this topic extensively for a post-graduate thesis, there could be a myriad of explanations, including increased concern on behalf of the players for their own health and safety (think Ben Roethlisberger taking himself out of the game). The only thing that gave the NFL more grief than Tom Brady over the past decade is grappling with the concussion epidemic, as it has had to admit (without admitting) that it simply didn’t do enough to ensure the safety of its players though a multi-million-dollar settlement.

According to the team at VICIS, the Seattle-based company started in 2013 by Dr. Sam Browd, Dr. Per Reinhall, and Dave Marver, it was quite clear that they all knew the current NFL helmets could be vastly improved upon. Dr. Browd, the head of Seattle Children’s Hospital concussion unit and Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington, already had experience as an ‘Unaffiliated Neurologic Consultant to the NFL and an Independent Neurologic Consultant to the Seattle Seahawks working as a concussion spotter on sidelines during game. According to Ray Vincenzo, Public Relations director for VICIS, Dr. Browd saw far too many young athletes coming through his office who were forced to quit the sport they loved because it was simply unsafe for them to continue play. This was especially the case for high school football players.

VICIS, a spinoff of the UW concussion research and prevention team that won the Head Health Challenge II, an initiative sponsored by Under Armour, GE and the NFL to advance the development of technologies that can detect early stage mild TBIs and improve brain protection, has won much attention after the success of its submission. ‘Challenge I’ focused on methods for diagnosis and prognosis of mild TBIs, ‘Challenge II’ sought innovative approaches through new technologies for preventing and identifying brain injuries and ‘Challenge III’ invited competitors to develop advanced materials for impact mitigation. The winning design was a prototype of the ‘Zero 1,’ a multilayered helmet that mitigates linear and rotational impact forces.

The design is far more sophisticated than the current foam-padded helmets that the players use today. The Lode Shell™, or the outermost layer of the helmet, absorbs impact by “locally deforming, like a car bumper.” Local deformation is a design that carmakers used for decades to disseminate blunt force (since carmakers already concluded more padding did not necessarily reduce injury as it could cause issues with friction and spinal injury). The second layer, or the Core Layer™ employs a highly-engineered columnar structure that moves “omni-directionally to reduce linear and rotational forces.” It works with the Lode Shell to reduce impact by leveraging the principals of physics to “withstand multiple seasons of play.” The Arch Shell™is the interior of the helmet and comes in three sizes for optimal fit. Sizing is determined by the Axis Fit System which, instead of using the traditional head circumference to fit a helmet on players, incorporates head length and breadth measurements to account for unique human head anatomy. Finally, the Form Liner™ is the innermost part of the helmet that works in unison with the Arch Shell and is made of special foams and waterproof textiles that conform to the player’s “unique head topography and distributes pressure uniformly around the head.” Altogether, there are 12 different sizing combinations available for players to choose from.

In addition to the $10 million in funding it has earned, VICIS has the support of its Coalition members, including Hall of Fame quarterback and investor Roger Staubach. He, along with other members of the sports community (such as Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin) help with product development and bridging the gap between the prototype and the helmet that will be worn on field. For now, the helmet has only been used on dummies in “drop tests,” but will soon be tested on-field.

Whilst the Head Health Challenge garners a wonderful sentiment that the NFL is dedicated to the health of its athletes, teams like that of Dr. Browd’s and his colleagues at VICIS make it abundantly clear that doctors knew further developments in concussion prevention were available. Given the staggering amount of money at the NFL’s fingertips, I can’t help but criticize that soliciting this form of dialogue through open submissions did not come sooner. According to Vincenzo, the NFL has been a source of support but not yet a collaborator on the project. Their relationship is positive. Refreshingly, while VICIS appreciates all the media attention it received since the unveiling of their product, the focus remains on “building a better helmet” in time to see it on NFL and Division I NCAA athletes for the 2016 season. Amidst my critical tone, however, Vincenzo reminded me that uncertainties remain in concussion research and technology. After all, no one can ever promise the football (or any sport for that matter) can ever be concussion-free. But thanks to companies like VICIS, it looks like they’re going to be much less common.

14.

Seattle Seahawks Fall in Super Bowl

The New England Patriots battled through a nailbiter of a match to win Super Bowl XLIX, which ended in a physical altercation between several players.

Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to the 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Az. The Seahawks defense intercepted two of quarterback Brady's fully inflated passes, but it would be a New England interception in the final minute of the game that would seal the victory for the Patriots.

12.

The 10 Dumbest Coaching Decisions in NFL History

It's always entertaining when NFL head coaches call what they think is a really good play or a really smart decision and then that decision goes completely wrong. Unless it's your team, then it's terrible.

GoLocalPDX took at look at the 10 dumbest coaching decisions in NFL history.

10

Alex Morgan is Gone and Portland Thorns Fans are to Blame

The face of U.S. women’s soccer, the cover girl of EA Sports FIFA 16, and one of the most recognizable athletes in all of sports, Alex Morgan, is no longer with the Portland Thorns, and it’s all your fault. Because of your relentless support and record-setting attendance, Portland was able to give in to the request of its most recognizable player, sacrificing star power in favor of gathering more talent and potential to make the Thorns a better team. Much better.

9.

Let’s face it. You are a billionaire and while you don’t like to lose money, you own the Trail Blazers and the Seahawks for the fun of it and the thrill of competition.

You’ve obviously succeeded with the Seahawks (though I still don’t care).

And while your 25-year track record with the Trail Blazers is much more middling, the fact that the Trail Blazers remain in Portland owes much to you. In other words, your sports legacy in Seattle is secure in Seattle and probably intact in Portland, save another “Jail Blazers” stretch.

But if you want to cement your legacy in Portland – and have a blast doing it – bring the Coyotes here.

8.

Oregon’s Football Uniforms No Longer a Joke

It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen solely because, but Oregon’s uniform revolution kick-started a metamorphosis of previously ugly ducklings into a sports nation of flourishing fowl. The Ducks of today are not the Ducks of 20 years ago, and the punchline they were due to the innovative route they chose to take has become the road more travelled for everyone else trying to catch up. They’re winning at an unprecedented rate, generating revenue at an unprecedented level, and attracting attention from prospects from unprecedented regions of the country. It isn’t and accident and it isn’t a joke anymore.

6.

Marcus Mariota Selected #2 Overall to Tennessee

With the number two pick in the 2015 NFL Draft the Tennessee Titans selected Marcus Mariota.

While at Oregon he was the perfect role model. He was never seen doing anything he wasn’t supposed to do. He even made weekly visits to the Boys and Girls Club located in Eugene, Oregon. The only hiccup on his record was when he got a speeding ticket during the season. Yet, he paid it off immediately and accepted that he was in the wrong. This is something that Duck fans desperately needed to see after witnessing Jeremiah Masoli, Cliff Harris and Colt Lyerla not live up to their full potential because of poor decisions made off the field. To many Duck fans this is what made Mariota so special.

4.

Brandon Roy’s Life After Basketball

Due to a number of knee ailments that dated back to his college days Roy was forced to retire from the NBA at the age of 28. It was later discovered that Roy suffered from degenerative knees, an ongoing issue that would provide additional problems in the future if he were to continue with his NBA career. Roy made the tough decision to call it a career after the 2012-2013 season.

Since his retirement from the NBA Roy has found another way to stay involved with the game that has brought him plenty of success.

2.

Will Marijuana Use Cost the Ducks the National Championship?

Multiple reports surfaced late Friday that freshman Darren Carrington would be ineligible for Monday’s national championship against Ohio State for failing a random drug test, supposedly registering a positive for marijuana.